850 / 850 T-5R / 850R

1991-1997 / Sedan / Estate / Sweden

All 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R problems All workshop issues

Common Engine

Turbo Failure (T5 and 850R)

Symptoms

Loss of power, screaming noises, oily exhaust smoke. The car feels gutless and the boost gauge stays flat.

Cause

Oil starvation from a blocked PCV system, failed turbo oil feed or return lines, or just age and heat cycles. The factory Mitsubishi TD04 turbos are tough, but 200,000+ km and poor oil changes will finish them.

Fix

Replace or rebuild the turbo.

A rebuilt unit is $800-1200.

Upgraded options like a Garrett GT30 or GT35 are popular if you're going down the modification route.

Always replace the oil feed and return lines, they're cheap insurance.

Check the PCV system at the same time.

Cost mentioned in fix

$800-1200

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Other known issues

Common Engine

PCV System Oil Leaks and Breather Box Failures

Oil everywhere, particularly around the back of the engine and firewall. You might see smoke at idle or a rough idle. In severe cases, the turbo oil feed line can blow apart because the crankcase is pressurised like a balloon.

Critical Engine

Timing Belt and Water Pump

The engine suddenly stops. If you're lucky, nothing else happens. If you're not, you've just destroyed pistons, valves, and possibly the head. This is an interference engine.

Critical Engine

Oil Consumption (Turbocharged Models)

You're adding a litre of oil every 1000-2000 km. Blue smoke on startup or under boost.

Common Cooling System

Radiator and Expansion Tank Cracks

Coolant loss, overheating, the temperature gauge climbing past 12 o'clock. You might see pink coolant pooling under the car or steam from the bonnet.

Common Cooling System

Cooling Fan Failures

The temperature gauge climbs in traffic or at idle. The radiator fan doesn't spin up when it should.

Common Cooling System

Heater Core Leaks

Sweet smell in the cabin, fogged-up windscreen, wet passenger footwell. Coolant loss with no visible external leak.

View all 26 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R problems